It might be time to stop describing Tim Thomas as just the Vezina Trophy favorite.

It’s about time to consider him a Hart Trophy candidate as well.

As he proved again last week with 76 saves, many spectacular, on 82 shots in one win and one loss, Thomas might be the only reason the Bruins’ current season is still afloat. For his efforts, readers of TheBruinsBlog.net voted Thomas the Bruin of the Week.

Who should be the Bruin of the Week?

Tim Thomas (31%, 23 Votes)

Patrice Bergeron (26%, 19 Votes)

Adam McQuaid (24%, 18 Votes)

Blake Wheeler (19%, 14 Votes)

Total Voters: 74

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Thomas wasn’t able to stop Michael Cammalleri’s penalty shot in the early moments of Thursday’s loss at Montreal. But he was nearly unbeatable the rest of the night, including a stop of a Tomas Plekanec breakaway that kept the Canadiens within reach.

Thomas received early offensive support against Washington Saturday, and he made the most of it. While Thomas made a huge save on Ovechkin in the closing seconds of his 25-save third period, one of his biggest saves actually occurred in the first half of the first period after a giveaway by Johnny Boychuk.

With a 1.65 goals-against average, .951 save percentage and five shutouts, the Vezina race is now no contest for Thomas. But you have to start putting him in the argument along with Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby and Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos as the league’s most valuable player. Some don’t want to vote for a goaltender for such an award, but when you’re putting up historic numbers like Thomas’ you have to be in the debate.

In future Penguin games…I suggest that our D play at the Blue line and hack and trip Crosby every time he gets the lead pass on breakaways. Give him 2-3 penalty shots per game and when Thomas stops him every time…clear cut MVP…